Moccasin shoe with a metatarsal support



June 18, 1957 GlBLlN MOCCASIN SHOE WITH A METATARSAL SUPPORT Filed June 22, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 18, 1957 J. P. GIBLIN 2,795,864

MOCCASIN SHOE WITH A METATARSAL SUPPORT Filed June 22, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J I 28 IWEMZZ v J 12266 B 6' field 7 QWMMM nited States MOCCASIN SHOE WITH A METATARSAL SUPPORT Application June 22, 1955, Serial No. 517,300

3 Claims. (CI. 36-85) This invention relates to shoes and more especially to moccasin type shoes with metatarsal supports.

The principal objects of the invention are to incorporate a metatarsal support in a moccasin-type shoe so as to afford foot comfort for those who could not otherwise wear shoes of this type, without detracting from or changing its distinctive appearance. Other objects are to simplify manufacture, improve the construction and eliminate the need for welting.

The true moccasin is made of a single piece of leather turned up about the foot and sewn to a toe piece by a saddle seam. As herein illustrated the invention applies to a sport or casual shoe, sometimes called a loafer, made according to the true moccasin method but with the addition of a midsole and outsole. As thus constructed the upper is sometimes described as having a full bottom which constitutes an integral part of the upper and extends beneath the foot and this portion is herein referred to as the insole of the shoe.

According to the invention the shoe has a bottom comprised of an insole constituted by the bottom part of a full bottom upper, a subjacent midsole having a metatarsal mound rising from its top side to which the insole conforms and an outsole subjacent the midsole. The midsole has a grain surface extending beyond the insole which is coterminous with the outsole and the insole, midsole and outsole are permanently joined. Preferably the midsole and outsole are joined by aloft stitching which passes through the midsole extension and in combination therewith simulates welting. A pad is interposed between the midsole and outsole to support the molded metatarsal elevation and a shank stiffener is located between the midsole and outsole in such a position that its forward end overlaps the pad.

The invention will now be described in its various aspects in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a moccasin upper blank;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a last provided with a metatarsal depression in its bottom;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the upper assembled on the last with that portion of the bottom of the upper opposite the metatarsal depression tacked into the depression;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the last with the upper pulled over it and the toe plug stitched in place;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the bottom surface of a midsole molded to have a metatarsal mound;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a transverse section taken on the line 77 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of one side of a shank stiffener with metatarsal pad fastened thereto;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the opposite side of the shank stiffener with the metatarsal pad fastened thereto;

Fig. 10 is a bottom view of the metatarsal midsole unit including the assembled midsole, shank stiffener and P Fig. 11 is a fragmentary portion in plan view of the midsole unit with a flap covering that portion of the metatarsal pad extending beyond the stiffener;

Fig. 12 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 12--12 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a transverse section showing the midsole unit attached to the insole and the outsole attached to the midsole, relasted and being subjected to sole laying pressure; and

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the finished shoe.

As herein illustrated the invention is concerned especially with the manufacture of a moccasin type shoe and with incorporating a metatarsal support therein. In accordance with the purposes of the invention, a full bottom upper 2, such as shown in Fig. 2, is provided having a bottom part 4, vamp 6 and quarters 8, the latter being joined by a backseam and reinforced with a backstay 12. The upper is placed on a last L specially prepared with a generally triangular depresseion 14 (Fig. 2) at approximately the ball line in the metatarsal area with the bottom part 4 stretched over the bottom of the last and with the vamp and quarters drawn upwardly over the sides of the last. Prior to placing the upper on the last, however, it is mulled, for example by conditioning in moist air, or by soaking in water so that it is stretchy, particularly in the vicinity of the bottom, and, when the upper is placed on the last, that portion 12a of the bottom 4 opposite the metatarsal depression 14 is pressed into the depression and secured in place by tacks 16 inserted near the apices of the metatarsal depression. Tacks 18, 20 and 22 (Figs. 3 and 4) are employed to hold the upper in place preparatory to and during stitching of the toe plug 24 in place. After stitching in the toe plug the completed upper is removed from the last preparatory to attaching the midsole unit. By tacking the area 12a into the depression during stretching of the upper over the last and stitching the toe plug in place the bottom is not allowed to be drawn taut across the depression, hence a slackness or fullness is left at the metatarsal area for receiving and taking the shape of the metatarsal support or mound when the shoe is removed from the last and the midsole unit attached, as will subsequently appear.

The midsole 26 (Fig. 5) is premolded so that its forepart is generally concave, both longitudinally and transversely (Figs. 6 and 7) and so that it has projecitng upwardly from its upper side (Fig. 6) a convex metatarsal mound 28 which is generally of the same triangular shape as that provided in the bottom of the last and is located at about the ball line. The shank is transversely concave and the heel part substantially flat.

The upper side of the midsole unit has an overall grain surface 27 which extends all the way to its edge, and as will appear hereinafter the grain surface at the marginal edge of the midsole will constitute the upwardly facing visible edge extension or flange in the finished shoe.

A substantially triangular metatarsal pad 30 of suitable material is provided for filling the depression at the bottom side of the midsole element and is secured therein by a blind rivet 32 (Fig. 12). Before afiixing the metatarsal pad 30 in place a shank stiffener 34 (Figs. 8 and 9) is attached to it by inserting the teeth 36 at its forward end (Fig. 12) into the pad and then fastening it to the pad by rivets 38. The shank and pad are fastened to the bottom, that is the flesh side of the midsole, by rivets 40 at the rear end of the shank and by the rivet 32 referred to above. Preferably, a strip of adhesive tape 42 (Fig. 10) is placed between the shank stiffener and the bottom of the unit for anti-squeaking purposes.

arouses In order to make the transition from the end of the stiffener to the surface of the midsole ahead of it less abrupt, a thin leather flap 31:is adhesively fastened to the pad 30 -with an edge substantially abutting the-end of the shank stiifener. The forward edge of the fiap-531 i generally oval-shaped -and=overlaps the pad:30 .so-that it adheres to the surface of-the midsoleborderingthe depression.

The midsole, together with the pad and stiffener, is then fastened to the insole by single or double lines of stitching 44-(Fig. l3) whereupon an outsole 46 is fastened to the marginal edge of the midsole by a line of aloft stitching 48 which extends through the uppersurface of the midsole and is visible therealong. :The-completely assembled shoe is then relasted, as shown inFig. 13, and sole laying pressure is applied :bymeansof conventional apparatus, followed byleveling pressure, applied, for example by a roller 50,-the applied-pressure flattening the bottom against the last and forcing the premolded midsole inwardly againsttheball portion of the insole 4 so that the latter which, ,as previously described, has been mulled or wetted, will be squeezed between the stifi outsole and the last bottom and hence will take an accurate impressionofthe inner surface of the midsole and of the metatarsal mound. .Theshoe isallowed to dry on the last after sole laying pressure has been applied so that the impression imparted to the insole by the sole laying pressure will be: permanent.

As thus constructed the marginal edge of the midsole constitutes the flange of the shoe, and since it has a grain surface, as pointed out above, the stitch indentations 52 made in the upper surfaceof the midsole when attaching the outsole to it will be cleanand permanent and will give the appearance of -a welt shoe construction.

While the manufacture has been described with reference to making moccasin shoes, it is conceivable, of course, that the same or equivalent method'conld be used in other than moccasin shoes, and, accordingly, it isregarded to be within the scope of the invention to apply the method in the manufacture of any shoes with which it may be used to advantage.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is upper, a premolded midsolehaving a grain leather extension projecting beyond the'insole, said midsole'including a convex metatarsalmoundsat thegrain side projecting upwardly into the insole and supporting the latter in conformity with the metatarsal mound, a concave metatarsal depression at its ,opposite ,side', ,a pad in the depression, a shank stiffener attached;to,.said opposite side with an end partially overlying the p ad, an outsole disposed subjacent thei:bottom;side of thernidsoleover the stiffener and,.pad,1stitchi g joining the insole and midsole and other stitching joining the ouIsole and midsole.

.3. -A moccasin shoe accordingto claim 2, wherein the stitchingjoining .theputsoleandmidsole passes through the grain extension of the midsole and in combination therewith simulates awelt, shoe.

,ReferencesCited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES P-A-TENTS 1,841,328 Gogin 'Jan. 12, 1932 1,871,764 Wiggi'n Aug. 16, 1932 1,872,325 iOsborne Aug. 16, 1932 1,984,257 'Ridder 'Dec. 11, 1934 2,029,409 Brand Feb. 4, 1936 2,147,887 Donovan Feb. 21, 1939 2,219,355 Donovan Oct. '29, 1940 2,645,042 Stritter July 14, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 135,194 Australia 'Nov. 9, 1949 

